Breaking the Cycle 2024

 


In this beyond-your-control simulation, you will experience economic hardships, unexpected dilemmas, and real-life scenarios that millions of families living on the edge of poverty face every day.


How would you navigate given limited resources?



Can you break the cycle of poverty? 

 

You are the Hart Family

You live with your partner, and together you have two children, ages 3 and 10. You work 20 hours per week in order to complete an Associate's Degree, while your partner works 40 hours per week.

 

You both earn the federal hourly minimum wage of $7.25, bringing your family's income to: $22,620/year.


You need to figure out a way to provide for your family given this limited income.

Month 1 – Hart Family Budget

Instructions:

Your monthly income has been converted into 12 credits that can be used to pay for your monthly bills. 

You must use the budget below that provides for the needs of your family. 

Make a decision in each category to determine how your family will live:

Difficult = 1 Credit

Limited = 2 Credits

Convenient = 3 Credits


Be careful about where you place your credits, as there may be risks associated with the choices you make.

Housing
Difficult (1 Credit) 

·         1-bedroom apartment 

·         No outdoor space 

·         No dishwasher or washing machine

·         No Central A/C or Heat 

·         Located in a food desert

Limited (2 Credits)

·         2-bedroom apartment

·         Limited outdoor space

·         Shared laundry room

·         Includes dishwasher

·         A/C No Central A/C or Heat 

·         Location limits access to healthy foods

Convenient (3 Credits)

·         3-bedroom rental house

·         Backyard space

·         Nearby playground

·         In-home laundry

·         Dishwasher

·         Central A/C and heat 

·         Convenient access to culturally appropriate healthy food, food bank, and local farmer’s market


Healthcare
Difficult (1 Credit)

·         None 

·         Pay all health expenses 

·         Out of pocket

Limited (2 Credits)

·         Health insurance 

·         Employer provided:

o   One parent 

o   Both children 

·         No coverage for partner

Convenient (3 Credits)

·         Health insurance 

·         Employer provided:

o   Coverage for family 

·         Includes food-based benefit (ex: Produce RX)


Food
Difficult (1 Credit)

·         1 full meal/day
·         Closest stores:
     o    Gas station
     o   Dollar store
·         Low access to fresh and nutritious foods  

Limited (2 Credits)
  • 2 full meals/day
  • Closest store:
    • Discount store 
  • Limited fresh produce 
  • Poor access to food bank

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • 3 full meals/day
  • Various food options 
  • Access to fresh produce nearby: 
    • Farmer's market
    • Culturally appropriate grocery store
    • Food bank

Education

Difficult (1 Credit)
  • Oldest child 
    • Public school
    • No school bus
  • Youngest child
    • No preschool 

Limited (2 Credits)
  • Oldest child
    • Public school
    • Rides school bus 
  • Youngest child
    • Head Start
    • Lottery system

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • Oldest child
    • Public school or 
    • Private school 
    • Rides school bus 
  • Youngest child
    • Preschool 

Transportation

Difficult (1 Credit)
  • Public bus 
  • Bike 

Limited (2 Credits)
  • Used, 15-year old car 
  • Bus
  • Subway 
  • Bike 

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • Reliable car 
  • Bus 
  • Subway 
  • Bike 

Utilities

Difficult (1 Credit)
  • Running water 
  • Intermittent electricity
  • Window A/C
  • Space heater
  • No cable television 
  • No internet
  • Two prepaid phones 

Limited (2 Credits)
  • Running water
  • Electricity
  • Window A/C
  • Central heat
  • No cable television
  • Low-speed internet
  • One smartphone
  • One prepaid phone 

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • Running water
  • Electricity
  • Central air conditioning
  • Central heat 
  • High-speed internet
  • Cable television
  • Smartphones for both parents

Savings
Difficult (0 Credits)
Save 0 credits for the future
Limited (1 Credit)
Save 1 credit for the future
Convenient (2 Credits)

Save 2 credits for the future


UNEXPECTED CHALLENGE: HEALTHCARE

You cannot remember the last time you received dental care, and a pain in your tooth is severe.

After visiting the dentist, you learn that you need emergency dental surgery.


Credits Available for Month 2

Credits Available for Month 2

Credits Available for Month 2

Month 2 – Hart Family Budget

Instructions:

Your monthly income has been converted into 12 credits that can be used to pay for your monthly bills. 

You must use the budget below that provides for the needs of your family. 

Make a decision in each category to determine how your family will live:

Difficult = 1 Credit

Limited = 2 Credits

Convenient = 3 Credits


Be careful about where you place your credits, as there may be risks associated with the choices you make.


Housing
Difficult (1 Credit) 

·         1-bedroom apartment 

·         No outdoor space 

·         No dishwasher or washing machine

·         No Central A/C or Heat 

·         Located in a food desert

Limited (2 Credits)

·         2-bedroom apartment

·         Limited outdoor space

·         Shared laundry room

·         Includes dishwasher

·         A/C No Central A/C or Heat 

·         Location limits access to healthy foods

Convenient (3 Credits)

·         3-bedroom rental house

·         Backyard space

·         Nearby playground

·         In-home laundry

·         Dishwasher

·         Central A/C and heat 

·         Convenient access to culturally appropriate healthy food, food bank, and local farmer’s market


Healthcare
Difficult (1 Credit)

·         None 

·         Pay all health expenses 

·         Out of pocket

Limited (2 Credits)

·         Health insurance 

·         Employer provided:

o   One parent 

o   Both children 

·         No coverage for partner

Convenient (3 Credits)

·         Health insurance 

·         Employer provided:

o   Coverage for family 

·         Includes food-based benefit (ex: Produce RX)


Food
Difficult (1 Credit)

·         1 full meal/day
·         Closest stores:
     o    Gas station
     o   Dollar store
·         Low access to fresh and nutritious foods  

Limited (2 Credits)
  • 2 full meals/day
  • Closest store:
    • Discount store 
  • Limited fresh produce 
  • Poor access to food bank

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • 3 full meals/day
  • Various food options 
  • Access to fresh produce nearby: 
    • Farmer's market
    • Culturally appropriate grocery store
    • Food bank

Education

Difficult (1 Credit)
  • Oldest child 
    • Public school
    • No school bus
  • Youngest child
    • No preschool 

Limited (2 Credits)
  • Oldest child
    • Public school
    • Rides school bus 
  • Youngest child
    • Head Start
    • Lottery system

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • Oldest child
    • Public school or 
    • Private school 
    • Rides school bus 
  • Youngest child
    • Preschool 

Transportation

Difficult (1 Credit)
  • Public bus 
  • Bike 

Limited (2 Credits)
  • Used, 15-year old car 
  • Bus
  • Subway 
  • Bike 

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • Reliable car 
  • Bus 
  • Subway 
  • Bike 

Utilities

Difficult (1 Credit)
  • Running water 
  • Intermittent electricity
  • Window A/C
  • Space heater
  • No cable television 
  • No internet
  • Two prepaid phones 

Limited (2 Credits)
  • Running water
  • Electricity
  • Window A/C
  • Central heat
  • No cable television
  • Low-speed internet
  • One smartphone
  • One prepaid phone 

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • Running water
  • Electricity
  • Central air conditioning
  • Central heat 
  • High-speed internet
  • Cable television
  • Smartphones for both parents

Savings
Difficult (0 Credits)
Save 0 credits for the future
Limited (1 Credit)
Save 1 credit for the future
Convenient (2 Credits)

Save 2 credits for the future


 

UNEXPECTED BENEFIT: UTILITY ASSISTANCE 

 

While talking with your friend about how expensive your utility bills are, they told you about calling 2-1-1: a free and confidential service that helps people across the U.S. find the local resources they need. 
 
After calling, 2-1-1 found a program in which you qualify to receive financial assistance with your utility bills, saving you 2 credits in next month's budget.


Credits Available for Month 3

Month 3 – Hart Family Budget

Instructions:

Your monthly income has been converted into 12 credits that can be used to pay for your monthly bills. 

You must use the budget below that provides for the needs of your family. 

Make a decision in each category to determine how your family will live:

Difficult = 1 Credit

Limited = 2 Credits

Convenient = 3 Credits


Be careful about where you place your credits, as there may be risks associated with the choices you make.

Housing
Difficult (1 Credit) 

·         1-bedroom apartment 

·         No outdoor space 

·         No dishwasher or washing machine

·         No Central A/C or Heat 

·         Located in a food desert

Limited (2 Credits)

·         2-bedroom apartment

·         Limited outdoor space

·         Shared laundry room

·         Includes dishwasher

·         A/C No Central A/C or Heat 

·         Location limits access to healthy foods

Convenient (3 Credits)

·         3-bedroom rental house

·         Backyard space

·         Nearby playground

·         In-home laundry

·         Dishwasher

·         Central A/C and heat 

·         Convenient access to culturally appropriate healthy food, food bank, and local farmer’s market


Healthcare
Difficult (1 Credit)

·         None 

·         Pay all health expenses 

·         Out of pocket

Limited (2 Credits)

·         Health insurance 

·         Employer provided:

o   One parent 

o   Both children 

·         No coverage for partner

Convenient (3 Credits)

·         Health insurance 

·         Employer provided:

o   Coverage for family 

·         Includes food-based benefit (ex: Produce RX)


Food
Difficult (1 Credit)

·         1 full meal/day
·         Closest stores:
     o    Gas station
     o   Dollar store
·         Low access to fresh and nutritious foods  

Limited (2 Credits)
  • 2 full meals/day
  • Closest store:
    • Discount store 
  • Limited fresh produce 
  • Poor access to food bank

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • 3 full meals/day
  • Various food options 
  • Access to fresh produce nearby: 
    • Farmer's market
    • Culturally appropriate grocery store
    • Food bank

Education

Difficult (1 Credit)
  • Oldest child 
    • Public school
    • No school bus
  • Youngest child
    • No preschool 

Limited (2 Credits)
  • Oldest child
    • Public school
    • Rides school bus 
  • Youngest child
    • Head Start
    • Lottery system

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • Oldest child
    • Public school or 
    • Private school 
    • Rides school bus 
  • Youngest child
    • Preschool 

Transportation

Difficult (1 Credit)
  • Public bus 
  • Bike 

Limited (2 Credits)
  • Used, 15-year old car 
  • Bus
  • Subway 
  • Bike 

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • Reliable car 
  • Bus 
  • Subway 
  • Bike 

Utilities

Difficult (1 Credit)
  • Running water 
  • Intermittent electricity
  • Window A/C
  • Space heater
  • No cable television 
  • No internet
  • Two prepaid phones 

Limited (2 Credits)
  • Running water
  • Electricity
  • Window A/C
  • Central heat
  • No cable television
  • Low-speed internet
  • One smartphone
  • One prepaid phone 

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • Running water
  • Electricity
  • Central air conditioning
  • Central heat 
  • High-speed internet
  • Cable television
  • Smartphones for both parents

Savings
Difficult (0 Credits)
Save 0 credits for the future
Limited (1 Credit)
Save 1 credit for the future
Convenient (2 Credits)

Save 2 credits for the future


UNEXPECTED CHALLENGE: JOB LOSS 

 

You were just laid off from your part-time job with no explanation. 
 
Losing your income has drastically hurt next month's budget, leaving just 8 Credits of income to pay the bills. 



Credits Available Month Four

Month 4 – Hart Family Budget

Instructions:

Your monthly income has been converted into 12 credits that can be used to pay for your monthly bills. 

You must use the budget below that provides for the needs of your family. 

Make a decision in each category to determine how your family will live:

Difficult = 1 Credit

Limited = 2 Credits

Convenient = 3 Credits


Be careful about where you place your credits, as there may be risks associated with the choices you make.

Housing
Difficult (1 Credit) 

·         1-bedroom apartment 

·         No outdoor space 

·         No dishwasher or washing machine

·         No Central A/C or Heat 

·         Located in a food desert

Limited (2 Credits)

·         2-bedroom apartment

·         Limited outdoor space

·         Shared laundry room

·         Includes dishwasher

·         A/C No Central A/C or Heat 

·         Location limits access to healthy foods

Convenient (3 Credits)

·         3-bedroom rental house

·         Backyard space

·         Nearby playground

·         In-home laundry

·         Dishwasher

·         Central A/C and heat 

·         Convenient access to culturally appropriate healthy food, food bank, and local farmer’s market


Healthcare
Difficult (1 Credit)

·         None 

·         Pay all health expenses 

·         Out of pocket

Limited (2 Credits)

·         Health insurance 

·         Employer provided:

o   One parent 

o   Both children 

·         No coverage for partner

Convenient (3 Credits)

·         Health insurance 

·         Employer provided:

o   Coverage for family 

·         Includes food-based benefit (ex: Produce RX)


Food
Difficult (1 Credit)

·         1 full meal/day
·         Closest stores:
     o    Gas station
     o   Dollar store
·         Low access to fresh and nutritious foods  

Limited (2 Credits)
  • 2 full meals/day
  • Closest store:
    • Discount store 
  • Limited fresh produce 
  • Poor access to food bank

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • 3 full meals/day
  • Various food options 
  • Access to fresh produce nearby: 
    • Farmer's market
    • Culturally appropriate grocery store
    • Food bank

Education

Difficult (1 Credit)
  • Oldest child 
    • Public school
    • No school bus
  • Youngest child
    • No preschool 

Limited (2 Credits)
  • Oldest child
    • Public school
    • Rides school bus 
  • Youngest child
    • Head Start
    • Lottery system

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • Oldest child
    • Public school or 
    • Private school 
    • Rides school bus 
  • Youngest child
    • Preschool 

Transportation

Difficult (1 Credit)
  • Public bus 
  • Bike 

Limited (2 Credits)
  • Used, 15-year old car 
  • Bus
  • Subway 
  • Bike 

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • Reliable car 
  • Bus 
  • Subway 
  • Bike 

Utilities

Difficult (1 Credit)
  • Running water 
  • Intermittent electricity
  • Window A/C
  • Space heater
  • No cable television 
  • No internet
  • Two prepaid phones 

Limited (2 Credits)
  • Running water
  • Electricity
  • Window A/C
  • Central heat
  • No cable television
  • Low-speed internet
  • One smartphone
  • One prepaid phone 

Convenient (3 Credits)
  • Running water
  • Electricity
  • Central air conditioning
  • Central heat 
  • High-speed internet
  • Cable television
  • Smartphones for both parents

Savings
Difficult (0 Credits)
Save 0 credits for the future
Limited (1 Credit)
Save 1 credit for the future
Convenient (2 Credits)

Save 2 credits for the future


Contact United Way with questions